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Free Program Archive: Planning for Children within the Autism Spectrum and Other Disabilities

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Issues in Planning for Children within the Autism Spectrum and Diagnosed with Other Disabilities Recorded February 9, 2015 | New York Hilton Midtown

• Utilizing Special Needs Trusts (First Party and Self Settled) • Education and School Issues Affecting Children With Disabilities • Utilizing Article 17A and Article 81 Guardianships For Disabled Children • Housing Issues For Disabled Children • Medicaid/SSI/SSD Eligibility Issues for Disabled Children

As people are living and working longer, the definition of what it means to
be a senior continues to evolve. The demographics affect us all, including
lawyers. Senior lawyers currently make up 25 percent of the Association’s membership, and include those who continue to work full time at law firms or in solo practices, as well as those who opt for part-time employment opportunities or donate pro bono services in their communities. In July of 2006, the New York State Bar Association formed a special
committee to recognize such lawyers and the unique issues that they face. As
the result of the work of this committee, in 2008, the House of Delegates approved
creation of the first Senior Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar
Association.

Senior Lawyers Section Profile

Lawyers who are age 55 or older have valuable experience, talents, and
interests. Many such senior lawyers are considering or have already decided
whether to continue to pursue their full-time legal careers or whether to
transition to a new position, a reduced time commitment at their current
position and/or retirement from a full-time legal career. Accordingly, the
Senior Lawyers Section has been created and charged with the mission of:

Providing opportunities to senior lawyers to continue and maintain their
legal careers as well as to utilize their expertise in such activities as
delivering pro bono and civic service, mentoring younger lawyers, serving on
boards of directors for business and charitable organizations, and lecturing and
writing;

Providing programs and services in matters such as job opportunities; CLE
programs; seminars and lectures; career transition counseling; pro bono
training; networking and social activities; recreational, travel and other
programs designed to improve the quality of life of senior lawyers; and
professional, financial and retirement planning; and

Acting as a voice of senior lawyers within the Association and the
community

Scope of Activities

The Senior Lawyers Section seeks to address such issues as:

Career continuity

Career changes

The desire and opportunity to:

Render pro bono service

Serve on boards

Mentor other attorneys

Take CLE courses relevant to seniors

Social activities for seniors

2013-2014 Annual Report to the Membership

The
meaning of “senior” is not what it once was. As people are living and working
longer, the traditionally “sunset years” are becoming less static and more
active and individualized. The Senior Lawyers Section seeks to serve attorneys
aged 55 and older in helping them plan for their future, whatever form that may
take.

The
Section’s full-day Fall program this year was titled, Living to 103 – Are You Prepared? Topics examined included aspects
of finance, taxes, and long
term care, the use of technology for finding new opportunities, and ethical
issues incident to selling or closing a law practice. The program was
co-sponsored by NYSBA’s Law Practice Management Committee, and a recorded copy
of the program will be available at www.nysba.org/LPMCLE. Programs are
tailored to assist attorneys both in their personal planning and with advising
clients.

The
SLS MCLE program at Annual Meeting, Strategies for Optimizing and Protecting
Your and Your Clients’ Assets in Retirement, was well-received and fostered
lively discussion. Presentations by respected panelists looked at varied
aspects of planning, including types of house transfers, special needs trusts, the
basics of wills and trusts, social security, and IRA minimum distributions and
Roth conversions.

The
Section’s Executive Committee was delighted to host guest speaker Hon. Judith
S. Kaye at its September meeting, as she shared her own experience
transitioning from her position as Chief Judge in New York’s Court of Appeals.
Discussion ensued on how best the vast knowledge and experience of senior
lawyers can be harnessed, be it in pro bono service or active practice, and how
the Senior Lawyers Section can provide guidance and options to this growing
population.

The
Section remains committed to diversity in the profession, and to service to the
community in pro bono activity. Periodic publication of The Senior Lawyer keeps members abreast of topics of interest to
senior attorneys.

2014 Section Officers

The Senior Lawyer features substantive articles for lawyers who are age 55 or older and is published to help with career continuity and career changes. Articles that have appeared in past issues include such topics as value of important papers, estate planning, ethical issues, life settlements and retaining and maintaining closed files. Also included are updates on Section news, committee reports, programs and events. The Senior Lawyer is published by the Senior Lawyers Section and distributed to Section Members free of charge.